A self-driving Uber hit and killed an Arizona woman late Sunday night in what is considered the first pedestrian fatality caused by an autonomous vehicle.
According to Tempe officials, the woman was crossing the street around 10 p.m. when an oncoming Uber struck her. Medical personnel transported the woman to a local hospital, where she succumbed to injuries.
The Uber had been operating in a self-driving mode with a backup driver behind the wheel at the time of the collision.
Details on why the autonomous vehicle failed to see the pedestrian are still being investigated.
Uber had been conducting trials of its driverless vehicles in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto, and parts of Phoenix. Since the incident, they have paused testing in all cities.
The ride-sharing company has tweeted their condolences and announced they are cooperating with authorities as the accident is investigated.
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As driverless car technology grows at a fast pace, mistakes are inevitable. However, a person’s life should never be an acceptable risk.
With different companies still racing to perfect an autonomous vehicle, we have yet to arrive at the point where human attention can be abandoned.
Backup drivers play an important role catching any flaws the vehicle might miss. In a situation where a backup driver is unable to deter an accident that results in a wrongful death, the question of who is responsible must be asked.
In searching for the answer, no precedent fully covers the legal complexities. Families of the deceased, their lawyers, and the insurance company will all be debating and pointing fingers.
At Bergener Mirejovsky, we have pursued thousands of unique cases. As leaders in the personal injury field, we are on the vanguard of autonomous cases. Our attorneys have the experience it takes to make sure our clients get the justice they deserve.
While this fatal autonomous vehicle accident may be the first, it won’t be the last. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys will not shy away from helping any victim of unjust injury or loss. We will fight tirelessly to make sure you get the fairest possible settlement.
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions about your personal injury claim. If you or a loved one have been injured in a complicated case, our car accident lawyers are your path to recovery. Call us at 1-800-881-2021 for a complimentary strategy session.